Mother India's Café

3–5 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT

Telephone 0131 524 9801
Food served Mon–Wed noon–2pm, 5–10.30pm; Thu noon–10.30pm; Fri/Sat noon–11pm; Sun noon–10pm.
Average price £15 (lunch); £15 (evening meal)
Email
Website www.motherindiascafeedinburgh.co.uk

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This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.

Something of a Glasgow stalwart, the Edinburgh branch of Mother India’s Cafe opened in 2008 and has replicated the popularity of its western sibling. Serving up Indian food in tapas-sized portions ensures the restaurant maintains a buzzing social feel and allows diners to sample a wider range of dishes, even without a large group. Basmati rice and various fluffy naan breads can be used to mop up or cool down the many fresh curries on offer. Waiting staff recommend three or four dishes between two people, giving diners a good run at the extensive, modern and creative menu. Favourites such as onion bhajis and pakoras are produced with as much attention to detail as their more experimental daily specials (the most popular of which have a chance of promotion to the a la carte leagues). It is commonplace to mix old favourites (the chicken tikka is richly spiced, served with salad and coriander chutney) with more adventurous choices. Unfortunately, the tapas concept means table sizes – particularly for parties of two – are pushed to their full capacity.

Takeaway review
As one of central Edinburgh's better Indian restaurants, a takeaway from Mother India is an attractive option if you're in this part of town. They ask for 45 minutes lead time for orders being collected, though the full takeaway menu is on the website. Some dishes are larger than their tapas counterparts in the restaurant, so it’s worth checking on portion size before covering your kitchen table in foil containers. That aside, it’s hard to go wrong here. Butter chicken is homely, low-key and comforting; like many options, it delivers solid flavour rather than fire. A deep green king prawn saag packs more punch along with a healthy dose of meaty prawns. It’s worth getting the foil-baked spiced haddock home early, as reheating won’t help, but you’d have to be very committed to newspaper and batter to find a better piece of takeaway fish.

High point: Inventive specials
Low point: Tables too small for the tapas-style concept

Number of wines sold by the glass: 3
Private dining: Up to 45 covers
Provides: Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access
Music on stereo: Hindi tunes
Capacity: 120
Largest group: 70
Open since: 2008
House wine: £12.50 per bottle

Comments & ratings

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10. tyke traveller – 6 Apr 2013, 12:55pm Mother India's Café Report: Another superb meal pre theatre. Lovely freshly made nan and chapattis, the best. Fish masala particularly a delight, as is the ice cream which apparently comes all the way from Glasgow. Packed out so glad we booked. Top place and great value, and sets the standard in Edinburgh.

9. tyke traveller – 11 Oct 2012, 4:13pm Mother India's Café Report: Another splendid lunch today at under £50 for three including drinks. Easy to book online and quick service. Modern functional decor and pleasant staff. About the best in Edinburgh. Special highlight today was Gubin Jamal for dessert - Indian sponge with ice cream. A take on syrup sponge and ice cream. Don't often bother to review places, but this one is very deserving.

8. Marcela – 24 Jul 2012, 1:22pm Mother India's Café Report

This has actually become one of favourite places in Edinburgh! After a few recommendations and reading good reviews, I have been a couple of times and the food is excellent.

It is not particularly cheap considering that Kebab Mahal is just a few meters away, but the food is definitely worth its cost. Best butter chicken I've ever tried!

The staff are usually friendly the service is quick and the portions are good enough. It probably good to order about 2-3 'tapas' sized portions per person, plus rice, nan bread, etc.

One thing I don't like is that they charge for the papadoms and sauces, when other Indian places offer them as a complimentary starter.

Unfortunately they don't do BYOB :(

7. SLR – 10 Dec 2010, 10:27pm Report: Wonderful place to eat. Excellent service, food wonderful for both vegi's and meat eaters alike. Staff delightful and very helpful. Tapas concept is excellent idea for those who wish to have taste's of different dishes. Vege options all very very good. Darft beer good as is the wine on offer. Have not found anywhere better and I eat out all the time. Would highly recommend it.
PS. They will also accept take away orders whist u dine - ready on leaving.

6. Canon Laurie – 10 Sep 2010, 3:03pm Mother India's Café Report

This place really is superb - I'd put it joint top with Rivage for Indian food in Edinburgh, although the concept here is different as it's a bit less formal and more noisy/lively (though by no means boisterous). Food quality is fantastic, with lots of choice and each dish made fresh with proper spices - no pre-pack sauces here. The menu recommends 3-4 of its so-called tapas style dishes between two, and I'd reckon that was about right. In fact, they're quite a bit bigger than a tapas plate would be, so bear this in mind when ordering. Lovely side dishes including excellent breads and a great range of wine/beer. Add friendly and helpful staff to this and it's the perfect dining experience. Value is extraordinary - we had 4 plates between two of us along with sides, dessert and a number of drinks and it came in at less than £40 in total.

It always seems to be busy, though there's no feeling at all of being rushed. Booking policy seems slightly unusual in that they only allow a certain number of tables to be reserved and leave the rest open for walk-in business. So don't be put off if you're told they can't take any more reservations for that evening. We just went along anyway and there was no problem getting in straightaway. Terrific place and I couldn't recommend it more highly.

5. Stumpy – 15 May 2010, 8:37am Report: We have visited this restaurant on several occassions and did so again last Friday. Once again we were not disappointed. Great service, great food and all at a very reasonable price. Will ceratinly be back soon!

4. Pavithra Sarma – 28 Apr 2010, 1:22pm Report

Fantastic food and an absolute culinary delight. This is hands down, the best Indian cafe/ restaurant, in Edinburgh. The flavours, textures and presentation of the food is very authentically Punjabi (from the State of Punjab in North-western India) and mouth-wateringly sumptuous. The food is not too oily or buttery and is just right. The portions, though smaller than those served by other Indian / Bangladeshi restaurants, are filling and the pricing is very reasonable. The ambience of the cafe is also very informal and pleasant and the staff are extremely courteous. They don't deliver but orders can be placed in advance and collected from the cafe.

Highly recommend visiting this cafe to sample some truly delectable North Indian cooking.

3. Lizzie D – 26 Feb 2010, 1:04pm Mother India's Café Report

Definitely the best Indian in Edinburgh without a doubt. The service is surprisingly quick and the tapas are just brilliant - even if it means you can't move after eating as there is just SO MUCH FOOD!

Highly recommended.

2. Lynda – 12 Feb 2010, 12:57pm Mother India's Café Report

Visited this restaurant last Saturday for lunch and was not disappointed. I can honestly say I think this was the best Indian food I've ever eaten in Edinburgh, and there are loads of Indian restarants and takeaways.

Place was lovely inside with a trendy bar so you can get alcohol with your food. Tapas style portions which were delivered quickly and efficiently. Food was just out of this world, so, so delicious. We had two chicken dishes and two vegetarian ones with rice. Chicken dosa was to die for. Sauces were spicy and hot (I love spicy food and like places that aren't afraid to put the heat into the food).

Service was excellent too - really friendly and nice and helpful. Strongly recommend this place. I can't wait to go back.

1. MoMo – 29 Aug 2009, 4:07pm Mother India's Café Report: Great food. Tapas style so chance to sample lots of dishes. Service quick, so great if in a hurry. Nearby Suruchi is good too but service quite a bit slower and so more relaxed.

Average rating 5/5 from 7 reviews of Mother India's Café.

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